Greyhounds and Kids

If you have children at home, you will be happy to learn that greyhounds are quite tolerant of and can become very attached to “little people”. Unfortunately though, the greyhound’s profound ability to tolerate abuse can give children or adults a false sense of security in thinking the dog has no limit to the amount of physical contact it can endure before attempting to warn it has had enough.

Greyhounds need their space, too. It is the adopter’s responsibility to respect this need, especially during time of rest, and to disallow violation of the greyhound’s space by curious or overly playful children (or adults). Due to the number of greyhounds returned to adoption programs after altercations with the very young, unsupervised, curious children, we no longer place greyhounds in homes with children younger than five years of age.

Some greyhounds can be easily frightened by excessively noisy environments and raucous behavior and they can become introverted in homes with a high activity level. If your dog begins to exhibit this tendency, it is best to notify 2nd Chance Greyhounds so that we may consider putting a more extroverted greyhound in your home and placing the other in a quieter home.

Small children are often curious about dogs and don’t always realize what causes pain to a dog. For that reason, the introduction of the greyhound to the kids is critical. Someone has to define the limits for the kids and greyhound, and that someone is you! Your supervision can lay the foundation for a mutual friendship between the greyhound and the children which can last for many years.

Children and adults alike, should never approach a dog while it is sleeping. Racing greyhounds have never had to share their sleeping space while at the kennel and are not accustomed to being disturbed while resting.